The government has set out plans to further reduce business red tape by £10bn. But how successful have the previous attempts to cut red tape been and what should the priorities be in this fresh attempt to reduce bureaucracy?

This paper reviews the progress made by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to cut environmental red tape. It shows that while manufacturers support recent efforts to simplify data reporting and guidance, they have yet to feel the benefit. Manufacturers want government to go further. Among the recommendations outlined, the paper calls on government to commit to wide-sweeping reform of environmental legislation.